A great historian of Pakistan, Khursheed Kamal Aziz, or K.K. Aziz as he was popularly known, has died after a protracted illness. His students and others will miss him for a long time to come since he was a symbol of scholastic savoir-faire that is rare nowadays.

K.K. Aziz enjoyed an international reputation as a political scientist, historian and academician of high calibre.
He authored 44 valuable books on the modern history of the Muslims of the subcontinent. He had a unique style of writing that captivated the attention of all and sundry because he stimulated people's thinking.

He wrote on significant issues related to Pakistan and the history of the subcontinent. His books include History of the Ideas of Pakistan, The Meaning of Islamic Art, Public Life in Muslim India and The Murder of History. As well as The Making of Pakistan, A Study in Nationalism, Studies in History and Politics, Party Politics in Pakistan 1947-1958, Britain and Pakistan, Muslims Under Congress Rule 1937-1939 and British Imperialism in India.

He also came up with volumes of significant details on important dignitaries who helped in shaping the history of the subcontinent, including Sir Aga Khan III and Chaudhry Rehmat Ali. K.K. Aziz claimed to be the ghost writer of Ishtiaq Hussain Qureshi's book The Struggle for Pakistan.

He worked as an advisor to Z.A. Bhutto and was the chairman of the National Commission on Historical and Cultural Research. But sadly his career came to an abrupt halt when Z.A. Bhutto was deposed and he was ultimately made to leave the country.

In response to the treatment he faced, he returned his Sitara-i-Imtiaz and suffered regardless of his respectable position as a scholar.

If he had stayed longer at his post he might have produced a book on the East Pakistan debacle that could be a reflection of the Hamoodur Rehman Commission Report which could go against the aspiration of the then government.

Aziz is mainly recognised for his books written in the English language, however, he was equally good at Urdu prose and a staunch believer in the importance of the Persian language to enhance one's knowledge about the world. He wrote a book in Urdu Woh Havadis Ashna which is particularly concerned his father and his family.

K.K. Aziz was born on December 11, 1927 in the village of Ballamabad near Faisalabad. He received his early education from the M.B. High School in Batala, and then went to Forman Christian College and finally Government College Lahore for graduation.

Highly reputed people such as Ahmed Shah Bokhari Patras and Professor Sirajuddin taught him at Government College. Later he completed his higher studies at Victoria University in Manchester, UK. His father Abdul Aziz was a barrister and a historian in his own right.

Aziz had the privilege of teaching at various reputed institutions such as the universities of Cambridge, London, Heidelberg, Khartoum and the Punjab University in Pakistan.

He also delivered occasional lectures at universities in Karachi, Peshawar, Islamabad, Dacca, Hull, New-Castle upon Tyne, Geneva, Oxford and Bergen.

Dr Aziz had a profound love for words and writing. He wrote a 700-page autobiography which is a must read by all those who love literature, history and historical personalities.

He acquired his love of history from his father who had a special liking for Heer Waris Shah. Besides his love for history he also showed a subtle affinity for his town Batala.

He always admired his teachers, particularly Sufi Ghulam Mustafa Tabassum whom he found to be an inspiring teacher.

He had great command on various languages including Urdu and Persian which can be noted in his classic style of writing, particularly in his book Hawadis-i-Zamana. He adored the English language and used a particularly unique pattern of impressive words while writing.

K.K. Aziz experienced many ups and downs in life. By nature he was a vivacious human being with enviable talents.

The Benazir Bhutto government gave him full support in the 1990s because he had served Z.A Bhutto whom he always praised and admired as a great leader.

Unfortunately he was unhappy with his life since he faced travails, dejection and injustice. He died in Lahore at age 82.